Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of washing systems, and particularly, the present disclosure relates to a water guide for a washing system.

BACKGROUND

Industrialists and researchers have been engaged in increasing the washing efficiency of clothes in washing machines for a long time now. Many additions and alterations are being made to conventional designs of washing machines to achieve the same. One such component which has been adopted in the washing systems is a water guide, which is known for circulating water in the washing machines for washing clothes.

The water guides are fixed inside a washer drum of the washing machines. During the washing of clothes, the water is ingressed into the washer drum of the washing machine, and the water guides ensure proper circulation of water inside the washer drum, for an efficient washing experience. Such pumping of water into the washing machines is provided by the water guides. However, conventional water guides fail to circulate water in many parts of the washer drum.

The conventional water guides fail to circulate water inside the washer drum when the level of water in the washer drum is low. The conventional water guides are known to include a single water outlet for pumping the water into the washer drum. The single outlet submerges into the water in high-level conditions, therefore failing to let the water out into the drum. The failure to let water out in high-level water conditions further leads to failure in the circulation of water and proper mixing of water with detergent inside the washer drum.

SUMMARY
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention nor intended for determining the scope of the invention.

The present disclosure relates to a water guide for a washing system. The water guide includes a housing. The housing includes an inlet at a bottom side of the housing. The inlet is adapted to receive water, such that the water flows between the housing and a wall of the washing system in an upward direction towards a top side of the housing. An outlet is provided at the top side of the housing, which is adapted to pour water into the washing system. The housing further includes at least one pair of ribs having opposite facing ribs. Each rib of the at least one pair of ribs is formed in a predetermined orientation on an inner side of opposite facing side edges protruding towards a center of the housing. The at least one pair of ribs is adapted to create a channel between protruding tips of the opposite facing ribs, to guide a first portion of the water towards the outlet. The at least one pair of ribs is further adapted to obstruct the flow of water in the upward direction to form vortices in a second portion of water in a region between the side edges and the opposite facing ribs.

The present disclosure further relates to a washing system comprising a washer drum and a water guide fixed to a wall of the washer drum. The water guide includes a housing having an inlet at a bottom side of the housing. The inlet is adapted to receive water, such that the water flows between the housing and the wall of the washing system in an upward direction towards a top side of the housing. An outlet is provided at the top side of the housing, which is adapted to pour water into the washing system. The housing further includes at least one pair of ribs having opposite facing ribs. Each rib of the at least one pair of ribs is formed in a predetermined orientation on an inner side of opposite facing side edges protruding towards a center of the housing. The at least one pair of ribs is adapted to create a channel between protruding tips of the opposite facing ribs, to guide a first portion of the water towards the outlet. The at least one pair of ribs is further adapted to obstruct the flow of water in the upward direction to form vortices in a second portion of water in a region between the side edges and the opposite facing ribs.

The water guide disclosed herein provides a defined flow path for incoming water into the washer drum and covers the maximum area during the circulation of water in the washer drum. The ribs present in the water guide obstruct water, and form vortices, thereby generating a pressurized stream of water into the washer drum of the washing system for increasing the turbulence of water due to continuous water currents formed even at the low water level inside the drum. The increased turbulence of water even at lower levels helps in an efficient water circulation in the washer drum, better mixing of detergent with the water, and an enhanced washing experience of clothes. The washer includes multiple jets into the washer drum, which help in targeting multiple locations in the washer drum, thereby effectively washing the dirt off from the clothes and improving the wash quality. Furthermore, the water guide disclosed herein provides fast and efficient detergent mixing with the water, which eventually helps in decreasing cycle time for each mode of operation in the washing machine. Reduction in cycle time further helps in reducing energy consumption by the washing machine.

To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a washing system including a water guide, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2a illustrates a front view of the water guide for the washing system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2b illustrates a perspective view depicting a front of the water guide, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2c illustrates the front view of the water guide depicting dimensions of various components of the water guide, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2d illustrates the front view of the water guide depicting dimensions of various components of the water guide, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3a illustrates an inner side view of the water guide, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3b illustrates the inner side view of the water guide depicting dimensions of various components of the water guide, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3c illustrates a schematic diagram of the water guide depicting direction of flow of water in the water guide, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of the water guide cut along a section A-A’ as depicted in Figure 1a, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5a illustrates a detailed diagram of the vortices formed in the water guide, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5b illustrates a detailed diagram of water flow schematics in the water guide, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 6 illustrates functioning of the water guide inside the washing system at various water levels, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more…” or “one or more elements is required.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present disclosure relates to a washing system including a water guide for efficient circulation of water inside a washer drum of the washing system. The water guide disclosed herein includes openings at different levels so that water can be circulated efficiently by the water guide irrespective of water level inside the washer drum.

Figure 1 illustrates a washing system 100. The washing system 100 includes a washer drum 140 and a water guide 200. The washer drum 140 is adapted to wash, spin, and dry clothes. The water guide 200 is fixed to a wall 142 of the washer drum 140. The water guide 200 includes a plurality of connecting holes 220 and is fixed to a wall 142 of the washing system 100 with help of fasteners (not shown) through the connecting holes 220. In one example, the fasteners may be screws that are screwed through the plurality of connecting holes 220 into the wall 142 of the washer drum 140. The water guide 200 includes a housing 218 having an inlet 206, an outlet 202, and at least one pair of ribs 208. The water guide 200 once fixed inside the wall 142, is adapted to circulate water inside the washer drum 140 for efficient mixing of detergent and washing clothes efficiently.

Construction of the water guide 200 will now be discussed in detail with reference to 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 3a, 3b, and 3c. Specifically, Figure 2a illustrates a front view of a water guide 200 for a washing system 100, and Figure 2b illustrates a perspective view depicting a front of the water guide 200. Specifically, Figure 2c illustrates the front view of the water guide 200 depicting dimensions of various components of the water guide 200, and Figure 2d illustrates the front view of the water guide 200 depicting dimensions of various components of the water guide 200. Specifically, Figure 3a illustrates an inner side view of the water guide 200, and Figure 3b illustrates the inner side view of the water guide 200 depicting dimensions of various components of the water guide 200. Specifically, Figure 3c illustrates a schematic diagram of the water guide 200 depicting direction of flow of water in the water guide 200.

In one example, the water guide 200 allows ingress of water into the housing 218 through the inlet 206. The inlet 206 is provided at a bottom side 218-1 of the housing 218 and is adapted to receive water from an inlet pipe (not shown) of the washing system 100. Once the water is received by the inlet 206, the water flows between the housing 218 and the wall 142 of the washing system 100, wherein the water guide 200 is fixed. The water flows in an upward direction 222 towards a top side 218-2 of the housing 218.

In one embodiment, the housing 218 includes at least one pair of ribs 208, provided on an inner side of the housing 218. Each of the pairs of ribs 208 is formed on side edges 224 of the housing 218, at predetermined levels from the inlet 206. Each of the pairs from the at least one pair of ribs 208 includes opposite-facing ribs 208. Further, each rib of in each of the pairs from the at least one pair of ribs 208 is formed in a predetermined orientation on an inner side of opposite facing side edges 224 of the housing 218. The side edges 224 protrude towards a center 226 of the housing 218. The at least one pair of ribs 208 is formed on the side edges 224 and is directed towards the center 226 of the housing 218.

Each of the at least one pair of ribs 208 is collectively adapted to create a channel C1 between protruding tips of the opposite-facing ribs 208. The channel C1 is adapted to guide a first portion of the water towards the outlet 202. A plurality of openings 204 are formed in the housing 218 on an area covered by the side edges 224 and the at least one pair of ribs 208 formed thereon. The housing 218 further includes an outlet 202 at the top side 218-2 of the housing 218. The 202 includes a slot formed at a top side 218-2 of the housing 218. The slot is positioned above the at least one pair of ribs 208.

Now referring to Figures 2c, and 2d, a total length of the water guide 200 may be 345 mm and the outlet 202 is located at 310 mm height from the inlet 206. A width and a height of the outlet 202 may be 55 mm and 5 mm respectively. A width of inlet 206 may be 108 mm the plurality of openings 204 may be formed in the housing 218 at a height 144 mm and 220 mm from the inlet 206 respectively. The distance between each opening from the plurality of openings 204 may be 6.5 mm each. The distance of each opening in one set of openings 204 from the plurality of openings 204 (one set includes three openings each) from the center 226 of the housing 218 may be 20mm, 24.5mm, and 29 mm respectively, wherein each of the openings in each set of openings is placed diagonally one above the other. Diameters of each of the plurality of openings may be 5mm each. It is to be understood that the dimensions of various components mentioned herein are only for illustrative purposes, and do not limit the scope of dimensions of such components to the dimensions illustrated herein. The dimensions may vary with a change in the size of the water guide 200 and requirements in the washing system 100.

Referring now to Figure 3c with Figures 4, 5a, and 5b, functioning of the water guide 200 inside the washing system 100 will now be explained in detail. Specifically, Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view of the water guide cut along a section A-A’ as depicted in Figure 1a. Specifically, Figure 5a illustrates a detailed diagram of the vortices formed in the water guide 200, and Figure 5b illustrates a detailed diagram of water flow schematics in the water guide 200.

The pair of ribs 208 is further adapted to obstruct the flow of the water in the upward direction 222 to form vortices in a second portion of water in a region between the side edges 224 and the opposite facing ribs 208, as shown in Figures 5a, and 5b. The obstruction of flow of water by the pair of ribs 208 causes the water to flow back in a downward direction 212 towards the inlet 206. However, the upward direction 222 of the incoming water from the inlet 206 influences the second portion of water flowing in the downward direction 212, thereby creating vortices 216 in the second portion of water in a region between the side edges 224 and the opposite-facing ribs 208. The plurality of openings 204 is adapted to pour the water into the washing system 100 in form of jets, which are formed due to the formation of the vortices 216, and a resultant pressure of water at the plurality of openings 204.

Now referring to Figure 4 together with Figure 2d, the first portion of water flowing through the channel C1 flows upwards towards the outlet 202. The outlet 202 is adapted to pour the water into the washer drum 140 in form of a waterfall 210-3. The waterfall 210-3 through the outlet 202 is experienced when the water level is above the plurality of openings 204, and below the outlet 202, i.e., between 220 mm and 310 mm level. The second portion of water is let out of the plurality of openings present at 140 mm height from the inlet 206, in the form of a first jet 210-1 when the water level is below the plurality of openings 204 present at 144 mm height from the inlet 206. The second portion of water is let out of the plurality of openings 204 present at 220 mm height from the inlet 206 in the form of a second jet 210-2 when the water level is below the plurality of openings present at 220 mm height from the inlet 206.

The provision of the plurality of openings 204 at different levels of the water guide 200 between the inlet 206 and the outlet 202 helps in dispersion the water out into the washing system 100 at different levels, irrespective of the water level in the washing system 100, as depicted in Figure 6. Specifically, Figure 6 illustrates functioning of the water guide 200 inside the washing system 100 at various water levels. When the water in the washing system 100 is at a low level 228-1, as depicted in Part A of Figure 6, the water is let out from the 140 mm level openings 204. When the water in the washing system 100 is at a medium level 228-2, as depicted in Part B of Figure 6 the water is let out from the 220 mm level openings 204. When the water in the washing system 100 is at a high level 228-3, as depicted in part C of Figure 6, the water is let out from the outlet 202 at 310 mm height. Therefore, the need for a particular water level in the washing system 100 for the water to be let out from the water guide 200 is eliminated.

The water guide 200 disclosed herein provides a defined flow path for incoming water into the washer drum 140 and covers the maximum area during the circulation of water in the washer drum 140. The plurality of ribs 208 present in the water guide 200 obstruct water, and form vortices, thereby generating a pressurized stream of water into the washer drum 140 of the washing system 100 for increasing the turbulence of water due to continuous water currents formed even at the low water level inside the washer drum 140. The increased turbulence of water even at lower levels helps in an efficient water circulation in the washer drum 140, and an enhanced washing experience of clothes.

The water guide 200 lets out multiple jets 210-1, 210-2 of water into the washer drum 140, which helps in targeting multiple locations in the washer drum 140, thereby effectively washing the dirt off from the clothes and improving the wash quality. Furthermore, the water guide 200 provides fast and efficient detergent mixing with the water, which eventually helps in decreasing cycle time for each mode of operation in the washing system 100. Reduction in cycle time further helps in reducing energy consumption by the washing system 100.

While specific language has been used to describe the present disclosure, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. , C , C , Claims:WE CLAIM:

1. A water guide (200) for a washing system (100), comprising:
a housing (218) comprising:
an inlet (206) at a bottom side (218-1) of the housing (218), the inlet (206) adapted to receive water, such that the water flows between the housing (218) and a wall (142) of the washing system (100) in an upward direction (222) towards a top side (218-2) of the housing (218);
an outlet (202) at the top side (218-2) of the housing (218), the outlet (202) adapted to pour water into the washing system (100); and
at least one pair of ribs (208) having opposite facing ribs (208), each rib (208) of the at least one pair of ribs (208) formed in a predetermined orientation on an inner side of opposite facing side edges (224) protruding towards a center (226) of the housing (218), wherein the at least one pair of ribs (208) is adapted to:
create a channel (C1) between protruding tips of the opposite facing ribs (208), to guide a first portion of water towards the outlet (202), and
obstruct the flow of water in the upward direction (222) to form vortices in a second portion of water in a region between the side edges (224) and the opposite facing ribs (208).

2. The water guide (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one pair of ribs (208) is formed on the side edges (224) at predetermined levels from the inlet (206).

3. The water guide (200) as claimed in claim 1, comprising:
a plurality of openings in the housing (218) on an area covered by the side edges (224) and the at least one pair of ribs (208) formed thereon; and
wherein the plurality of openings is adapted to pour the water into the washing system (100) in form of jets (210-1, 210-2).

4. The water guide (200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outlet (202) comprises a slot formed at the top side (218-2) of the housing (218), and the slot is adapted to pour the water in form of a waterfall (210-3) into the washing system (100).

5. The water guide (200) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the slot is positioned above the at least one pair of ribs (208).

6. A washing system (100) comprising:
a washer drum (140); and
a water guide (200) fixed on a wall (142) of the washer drum (140), the water guide (200) comprising:
a housing (218) comprising:
an inlet (206) at a bottom side of the housing (218), the inlet (206) adapted to receive water, such that the water flows between the housing (218) and the wall (142) of the washing system (100) in an upward direction (222) towards a top side (218-2) of the housing (218);
an outlet (202) at the top side (218-2) of the housing (218), the outlet (202) adapted to pour water into the washing system (100); and
at least one pair of ribs (208) having opposite facing ribs (208), each rib of the at least one pair of ribs (208) formed in a predetermined orientation on an inner side of opposite facing side edges (224) protruding towards a center (226) of the housing (218), wherein the at least one pair of ribs (208) is adapted to:
create a channel (C1) between protruding tips of the opposite facing ribs (208), to guide a first portion of water towards the outlet (202), and
obstruct the flow of water in the upward direction (222) to form vortices in a second portion of water in a region between the side edges (224) and the opposite facing ribs (208).

7. The washing system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least one pair of ribs (208) is formed on the edges (224) at predetermined levels from the inlet (206).

8. The washing system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein:
the water guide (200) comprises a plurality of openings in the housing (218) on an area covered by the edges (224) and the at least one pair of ribs (208) formed thereon,
wherein the plurality of openings is adapted to pour the water into the washing system (100) in form of jets (210-1, 210-2).

9. The washing system (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the outlet (202) comprises a slot formed at the top side (218-2) of the housing (218), and the slot is adapted to pour the water in form of a waterfall (210-3) into the washing system (100).

10. The washing system (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the slot is positioned above the at least one pair of ribs (208).